Introduction
Let’s discover together the most beautiful winter walks in Cortina d’Ampezzo, along groomed snow roads leading to easily accessible mountain lodges. You could also consider descending by sledding or ascending with ski mountaineering or on a fat bike.
Overview
In this first chapter we collected a summary of our favorite winter walks, listed in order of difficulty, from the easy walks on the snow to rather more challenging winter hikes.
In the closing part of the article you can find some recommendations about how to dress and how to equip yourself. The most important are to always bring snow crampons for your shoes, a torch, water, and something to drink, for any eventuality.
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Rifugio Mietres
Map
Path of the hike
This winter walk will let you reach the "Rifugio Mietres" mountain lodge, starting from the locality of "Guargnè." It is a slightly challenging walk but still suitable for everyone who can easily walk uphill.
The easiest way to get there is using a car, which can be left in the free parking area of the former swimming pool.
Another option is to take bus n°4 to reach the bus stop of "Verocai." From there, you will reach the parking area with a ten-minute walk. You can get more information at the ticket office at the bus station.
Leaving the parking lot and the former swimming pool behind you, take the beaten path that starts near the wooden hut of the ski school.
This winter walk goes along the only road of groomed snow in a north direction; it is virtually impossible to take a wrong turn. After about 15 minutes, you'll reach the former chairlift of "Col Tondo," currently closed to the public.
Continue walking up for another forty minutes, always keeping an eye on the horizon, because of snowmobiles and ski mountaineers who may descend at high speeds.
Once you reach the sign where Path 204 and Path 211 are marked, after a slight right turn, you are almost there. We don’t want to discourage you, but the final climb is quite steep, though it's short. Don't be fooled by the view of the mountain lodge; it’s farther away than it appears.
Once you reach your destination, you'll be welcomed by a cozy mountain lodge and a breathtaking view, as well as the opportunity to eat and drink something on the scenic terrace or inside the mountain lodge. If you wish, you can climb this winter hike with mountaineering skis, or you could bring a sledge to go down sledding along the slope.
The "Rifugio Mietres" also provides service in the evening by reservation, with the possibility of going up on a snowmobile. For this kind of request, you should contact the structure, visiting the official website of the restaurant "Mietres." In the peak season, in Cortina, you should always reserve a table when possible. In the low season, check if it is actually open.
If you want to have a better idea of how the trail progresses, you can see the path on Google Maps by clicking here.
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Malga Ra Stua
Map
The path
This winter walk, which will allow you to reach "Malga Ra Stua," is a simple hike for anyone who can easily walk uphill.
The starting point is the "Sant'Uberto" parking area, which can be easily reached with less than a 15-minute car ride. We recommend you leave early in the morning to have a better chance to find some free car spaces, especially in peak season.
If you want to use public transportation, you have to take bus n°445, towards Dobbiaco, and get out at the bus stop of "Podestagno." From here you have to go back, walking a few minutes along the main road, until you get to the "Sant'Uberto" parking lot.
Unfortunately, buses pass only every two hours, but in peak season the number could increase. For precise information, we recommend you contact the ticket office at the bus station.
Once you reach the parking lot, head towards the barrier that blocks the passage of cars, where you can also see the wooden table of the "Regole d'Ampezzo," which is worth stopping to read, as it's interesting and very well made.
The hike goes uphill through the woods for almost an hour on a road where the snow is packed. The path is the only one beaten, so it's almost impossible to get it wrong.
Most of the walk is a constant and not too steep ascent, until the last part. While you climb, try to keep to the side of the road throughout the ascent, especially on blind turns, as there may be alpine skiers and sleds.
Towards the end of the hike, on the left, you'll see the waterfall of "Ra Stua," almost completely frozen. If you decide to approach it to take some pictures, be very careful; the risk of slipping is very high.
One more little effort and you will reach "Malga Ra Stua." This restaurant offers about forty seats inside and sixty outside; the menu is centered on typical dishes of the area. In addition to the restaurant, this mountain lodge also offers bedrooms with shared or private bathrooms.
Further information can be found on the official website of "Malga" Ra Stua. In peak season, booking is recommended; in the low season, you should check if it's actually open.
If you are willing to walk more, you could continue towards the "Rifugio Sennes." This is a hike that is usually done on ski mountaineering, but it's also possible to do it walking.
If you want to have a better idea of how the trail progresses, you can see the path on Google Maps by clicking here.
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Rifugio Dibona
Map
The path
The "Rifugio Dibona" of Cortina d'Ampezzo is one of the favorite destinations both for locals and tourists who want to take a nice winter walk at high altitude. It is not a difficult walk, but it is only suitable for those who can walk more than one hour uphill without difficulty.
To reach the mountain lodge, you have to go up with the car along the "Passo Falzarego" for about nine kilometers, or five miles and a half, and park on the gravel parking of Fedaròla, which is on the left as you go up.
Parking is unfortunately one of the critical points for those who want to walk to the "Dibona" mountain lodge. Leave early in the morning to increase your chances of finding a free parking lot. If the parking is full, you can proceed for one and a half kilometers, or one mile, and you might find a spot in the lay-by named "Cianzopè." that is also free of charge.
If you don't have the car, it won't be easy to get there with public transportation; there are very few bus rides, only in the peak season, and it is filled with skiers.
Although we discourage it, you should take the skibus n°30-31 towards Falzarego Pass and ask the driver if he's willing to let you get off at the bus stop named "Cason dei Caai," which is better known as the stop for the "Rifugio Dibona."
As this is strictly a summer stop, he may refuse; in this case you have to get off earlier, at the bus stop "Son dei Prade," and walk up one kilometer and a half, or a mile. Consider that there's only one bus ride that takes you back to the center.
For more information and to buy the tickets, we recommend you contact the ticket office at the bus station.
Once you get to the starting point, head towards the start of the road to the "Rifugio Dibona," easily recognizable by the many signs and the wooden structure.
After about 10 minutes of walking, you'll reach the alpine pasture of "Fedaròla." The name of this place derives from "féda," which in the dialect of Ampezzo means sheep. In fact, in these pastures, the farmers brought their sheep to graze in the past.
Another little curiosity: the locality of "Armentarola," on the Falzarego Pass, takes its name from the dialect word "arménta," which means cow. As you can imagine, in that case it was a cow pasture.
Continue along the road, which besides being the only road where the snow is packed, is always well marked. Keep in mind that it's not a very long climb, but in some traits it could be quite steep, so go ahead with a slow and constant pace.
During the first part of the climb you'll be immersed in the woods, but at a certain point the panorama will open up, giving you a splendid view of the Mount "Tofana di Rozes." In about an hour you should see the mountain lodge, which will welcome you with a simple, but high quality menu.
In the past, the "Rifugio Dibona" used to organize dinners going up with snowmobiles, but since 2022 it has decided to stop. The decision has been made to allow guests to have a better relationship with nature, with as few noises from motor vehicles as possible.
As a result of this decision, the closure of the mountain lodge has been anticipated to 4 p.m., and dinners are organized by reservation only.
Even if it is widely open, we recommend you visit their Facebook page for more info. In peak season, we recommend checking whether it is possible to book; in the low season, check whether it is actually open.
The descent from the mountain lodge may be along the same road, or you may descend with a sledge if you bring one with you. If you decide to reach the structure with ski mountaineering, it's also possible to connect to the ski slope of the "Tofanina," from which you can reach the locality of "Socrepes."
If you want to have a better idea of how the trail progresses, you can see the path on Google Maps by clicking here.
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Malga Federa
Map
The path
The climb towards "Malga Federa" from "Campo di Sotto" is a quite challenging walk. In about two hours, you will gain seven hundred meters, or two thousand feet, in elevation in a constant ascent. The reward will be one of the most scenic mountain lodges in Cortina.
The best way to reach "Campo di Sotto" is by car, which you can park for free nearby the hydroelectric power plant, or you may prefer to get closer, driving up the steep road, until the wide "Parù de Col" parking lot.
In peak season, both car parks are taken by storm, so we recommend leaving early in the morning, even if you risk arriving at your destination too early. You can bet that drinking a glass while waiting for lunch with a view of the valley will not make you regret this choice.
If you don't have a car, you can walk from the town center to "Campo di Sotto" in about half an hour. Another option is to take bus n°2 and get off at the stop of "Campo di Sotto."
For precise information about local buses, we recommend you contact the ticket office at the bus station.
If you parked at "Campo" you'll have to walk up the first climb, which is quite steep. Watch out for cars and, if the road is icy, keep to the edge of the road, where there's usually some gravel.
Once you reach the top of the climb, at the crossroads, keep right and continue towards the "Parù de Col" car park. This is the place where you can decide to park if you want to avoid the first climb and get about fifteen minutes closer to the destination.
Once you reach the car park, continue for a few meters until you reach the crossroads between "Federa" and the lake "Lago d'Ajal." The signage is very clear; they should leave no room for doubt; however, turn left, following the wider and better beaten road.
A long and steady climb awaits you, with some very steep sections and others almost flat, where you can catch your breath.
There is not much to say about the direction to follow; it is the only beaten path; you cannot go wrong. Try to remember to stay on the side of the road; in case there are sleds or skiers coming down, you will reduce the risks.
After walking for about an hour and a half, the forest will begin to thin out, and you will see Mount "Becco di Mezzodì" with its unique shape. This announces that you have almost reached your destination.
One last effort and "Malga Fedèra" will be there to welcome you, with a traditional menu of excellent quality and a bar service open until the afternoon.
During peak season, the restaurant offers the possibility to have dinner, but in this case, we always recommend making a reservation. You should also check on their website for availability during peak season and actual opening times during low season.
As already mentioned above, you may opt to go down with ski mountaineering or sledding, the last is really fun, especially at night. You may want to avoid taking the sled if the snow is a sheet of ice.
If you want to have a better idea of how the trail progresses, you can see the path on Google Maps by clicking here.
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Lake Ajal
Map
The path
The hike to Lake Ajal is a walk through the woods, quite challenging, that will allow you to visit the suggestive "Lago d'Ajal." It is not an excessively long walk, but it is definitely steep. Also consider that the restaurant, in recent years, has remained closed all winter.
If you have the car, you can leave it in the large parking lot "Parù de Col," but we chose to park further down the road, in the parking lot of the hydroelectric power plant of "Campo di Sotto," at the beginning of the steep climb that leads to Lake Pianozes.
You could also decide to walk from the town center to "Campo di Sotto" in 30 minutes without a car. Another option is to take bus n°2 and get off at the stop of "Campo di Sotto." For precise information about local buses, we recommend you contact the ticket office at the bus station.
If you decide to park at "Campo," you'll have to walk up the first climb, which is quite steep. Watch out for cars, and if the road is icy, on the edge of the road there's usually some gravel.
Once you reach the top of the climb, at the crossroads, keep right, continuing towards the "Parù de Col" parking area. Here is where you may have decided to park if you choose to avoid the first climb, getting about fifteen minutes closer to the destination.
Just beyond the parking lot you will find a well marked crossroads; you must take the road that is straight ahead of you or, in different terms, the one on the right, which is also the steepest and least inviting.
Follow the only path with packed snow. After about thirty minutes, you will see a side path to the right, which would lead to "Mortisa." Avoid it and continue straight, following the sign for "Lago d'Ajal." At this point, you are well over halfway through the route.
Continue walking for about a kilometer, or two third of a mile, along the last steep climb. Once you have overcome it, there will be a flat stretch. When you reach the crossroads of the "Cason del Macaròn" and "Ciòu del Conte," turn left.
A few meters later, if the snow is not too high, you will see the restaurant appear behind a small hill. Considering that in recent winters the structure has been closed, it is likely that things will not have changed.
If you are considering the descent with the sled, be aware that it is a very steep road with a terrible surface. We recommend avoiding it. Maybe you could consider going down on ski mountaineering, but only if you are an expert mountaineer and the snow is still soft.
If you want to have a better idea of how the trail progresses, you can see the path on Google Maps by clicking here.
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Go down by sled
While it's true that in summer the days are long and you can take it easy, winter also has its advantages. The fascination of walking under the snow, the possibility to go down from the mountain lodges with the sledge, and the winter atmosphere can transform a simple walk into a moment of great emotion.
All the winter walks on this page have been selected as they are easy and without danger, but they are still hikes on the snow; you must be able to walk uphill without difficulty to be able to do them.
Most of the walks have a mountain lodge as a destination, in which case you can decide to go down with a sled or, for the more capable, with mountaineering skis.
If you don't want to walk, in some cases, it is possible to call the restaurant and ask for the ascent with snowmobiles. There are fewer and fewer structures organized for this activity, but you may ask. If you are interested, we advise you to call first to check that the service is active.
If you decide to do a night sledding, always remember the head flashlight with spare batteries. Also remember to use pants with elastic on the ankle, or you'll find yourself with legs full of snow.
If the snowfalls have been heavy and recent, sledding will be fun and quite safe, but if the snow is low and icy, you have to be very careful! Ice makes it really difficult to brake and turn; you risk hitting trees or snow walls. Be careful, because getting hurt on a sled is easier than you might think.
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Fat Bike and ski mountaineering
The winter hikes we have discussed above do not necessarily have to be climbed by walking. For ski mountaineering enthusiasts, all four climbs to the mountain lodges can also be done on skis. This way, the descent will be much more fun. However, remember to pay attention to those who are walking up, especially behind the blind curves.
Check if the route is icy. If so, you need to be very careful, especially when you go down. If you are a beginner, always try to get someone with more experience to accompany you.
If you love two wheels, fat bikes make cycling enjoyable even in winter. All the climbs to the mountain lodges we described can also be ridden. However, due to the slopes, you'll likely need a pedal-assisted bike and some experience with this sport. Remember to check that the conditions are ideal for cycling; if there is ice, studded tires are essential.
If you want to try ski mountaineering or fat biking but have neither experience nor the equipment, before spending the money to buy it, you may want to visit a rental service, where they will provide you with everything you need to try.
In case you want to venture to less touristy places, due to the different risks related to snow and its conditions, we strongly recommend that you be accompanied by an alpine guide.
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Final thoughts
In this final chapter, we want to deepen the topic of winter hiking with some useful advice for those who are not used to going to the mountains in winter. First and foremost, when walking in the snow, it is important to have proper footwear. Shoes should be warm, comfortable, with a sculpted sole, and designed for walking on snow.
... shoes should be warm and comfortable...
Socks must be warm and long, the clothing must be indicated for winter, not too heavy, and with the possibility to remove one layer if you feel too warm. If it's very cold, remember to cover your hands and head with gloves and a cap. Since you'll be very dressed, it's likely that you will sweat a lot. Always bring a spare shirt.
It's often possible to find ice; to avoid slipping, we strongly recommend the purchase of snow crampons for your shoes in a specialized sports store. Sometimes the use of snowshoes is suggested. We recommend you use this accessory only in case you want to walk in plenty of fresh and soft snow. If you walk on packed snow, they are not recommended because they only make walking more difficult, use snow crampons instead.
Consider that the ascent in the snow is more tiring than the ascent on asphalt, so bring with you water and a snack, even for short trips. If you plan to stop in a mountain lodge to have fun, always take a head flashlight; the days are short and you may lose track of time, especially when the grappa starts arriving.
We always recommend calling; in peak season to book if the facility allows it, in low season to check the actual opening. In less crowded months, many activities only open on weekends. If you have not booked, we recommend bringing something to eat in your backpack. If by chance there is no place immediately available, at least you will not go hungry.
... it is forbidden to use ski slopes by any means, including on foot, with skimo, or on fat bikes....
When walking on the groomed snow tracks, be aware that there are also snowmobiles, skiers, and sleds. Remember that it is forbidden to walk and ride fat bikes along the ski slopes and also to go up with ski mountaineering along downhill trails. Try to walk on the edge of the road. For the rest, the suggestions are the same that we have given on this page for beginner hikers, which you can find below:
When it has recently snowed, especially with heavy precipitation, the parking lots will probably not be clean. You should also remember that the snow on the roads for the mountain lodges may not have been packed. As always, before having any nasty surprises, make a phone call first.
Always be responsible and, when in doubt, stop. CiaoCortina cannot be held responsible for any damage to things or people, variations, wrong paths, errors, or inconveniences that may occur along the route. For more information, click here.
Conclusion
We hope you liked this page about the best winter hikes in Cortina. Before saying goodbye, we would suggest you read our home page, with all the articles we wrote about Cortina d'Ampezzo.
If you want to thank us you can read the page Support us. If you only want to suggest a change, propose something or just say hello, in the section contacts and info, you'll find all the ways to reach us.
